Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to turn a new page in bilateral relations as direct air connectivity resumes after a 14-year gap on Thursday.

The first flight of a Bangladeshi airline is scheduled to land in Karachi tonight, marking a historic moment.

After 14 years, direct air links between Pakistan and Bangladesh are being restored from today. The move is being seen as a new record and a positive milestone in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.

The first flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines will land at Jinnah International Airport tonight. Flight BG341 is scheduled to depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8am and arrive in Karachi at 11am after a three-hour journey.

Special arrangements at Karachi airport

The airport authority and Civil Aviation authorities have received the flight schedule and completed special arrangements for the arrival of the inaugural flight. Officials say all necessary operational and welcome preparations are in place at Karachi airport.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will initially operate two flights per week between Karachi and Dhaka. The flights will run every Thursday and Saturday, providing long-awaited direct connectivity between the two cities.

All 162 seats on the inaugural flight have been sold, while most tickets for the second flight have also been booked. The strong demand highlights the need for direct travel options between the two countries.

Detailed flight schedule announced

Under the announced schedule, the Dhaka–Karachi flight will depart at 8pm and arrive in Karachi at 11pm local time. The return flight will leave Karachi at 12pm and reach Dhaka at 4:20am the next day.

The Dhaka–Karachi service will operate on a trial basis from January 29 to March 30, 2026. Authorities said a decision to continue or expand the service will be taken based on passenger response and operational performance during this period.

Currently, most travelers between Pakistan and Bangladesh rely on transit flights through hubs such as Dubai or Doha. The restoration of direct flights is expected to significantly reduce travel time, costs, and inconvenience for passengers.

Boost to people-to-people ties

The resumption of direct air links is expected to strengthen people-to-people contact, trade, and cultural exchange between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Officials and travelers alike have welcomed the move as a long-overdue and positive development.